A Christmas gift from Colorado Governor Jared Polis. He announced Wednesday pardons for 18 people and clemency for 4 others. Among those who were pardoned are Richard and Mayumi Heene, the parents of a then 6 year old boy whom they claimed hid in a helium filled balloon in 2009 as it took off over Fort Collins. A massive search effort was launched, but when the balloon finally came down there was no one inside. The boy was hiding in the family home. The parents served minor sentences for the incident. 2 people who were arrested in El Paso county received pardons, Jeffrey Sempek who pled guilty to theft in 2003, and Chad Larson, who pled guilty also in 2003 to marijuana distribution. 4 people received commuted sentences.
